A year after Victor Wembanyama's season-ending blood clot diagnosis, the San Antonio Spurs have transformed from lottery team to third-best record in the NBA at 39-16. The 7-foot-5 superstar's leadership has sparked a remarkable turnaround, with the Spurs holding a 13-7 record against teams with winning percentages of .600 or better. Their quest for the first postseason berth since 2019 continues against the Sacramento Kings.

Last February, news broke that Wembanyama would miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season after doctors discovered deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The diagnosis came during a tumultuous year that included Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich suffering a stroke and the team shuttering De'Aaron Fox after his season-ending finger surgery. Despite these setbacks, Wembanyama's competitive fire has infected the entire organization, as evidenced by rookie Dylan Harper's intensity during Rising Stars weekend.

Wembanyama's approach to competition has set the tone for the Spurs' resurgence. After feeling exhausted during last year's All-Star weekend, he's channeled that experience into pushing himself both physically and mentally. The Spurs' 121-94 victory over the Phoenix Suns marked almost exactly one year since their championship dreams nearly died. With 27 games remaining, Wembanyama and his teammates are determined to prove their success is no fluke.